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LOST CLASSICS

Lost Classics: Ex Models “Other Mathematics”

tapem200bThey’re nobody’s buzz bands anymore. But since 1993, MAGNET has discovered and documented more great music than memory will allow. The groups may have broken up or the albums may be out of print, but this time, history is written by the losers. Here are some of the finest albums that time forgot but we remembered in issue #75, plus all-new additions to our list of Lost Classics.

:: EX MODELS
Other Mathematics // Ace Fu, 2001

ex-models350bFor all the hype surrounding Brooklyn’s jittery post-punk revival after the turn of the millennium, breakout band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs turned out to sound pretty normal. Ex Models, on the other hand, jabbed in all directions: speed-metal drumming, hairpin tempo turns, skronky thrash guitar and Shahin Motia’s Devo-like yelped vocals. And despite the tightest, loudest live set this side of Shellac, Ex Models couldn’t compete with budding scene personalities Karen O and Angus Andrew (Liars). Other Mathematics, the trio’s debut, featured 13 songs—most under two minutes—that sounded like a metallic blitzkrieg on the Talking Heads’ catalog. It was either a migraine or an adrenaline rush.

Catching Up: Ex Models issued two subsequent albums, 2003’s Zoo Psychology and 2005’s Chrome Panthers, and a tour documentary about the band is in the works—view the trailer. Three Ex Models (Shahin and Shahryar Motia, plus drummer Zach Lehrhoff) also record and perform as noise-metal outfit Knyfe Hyts; two of the group’s self-released CD-Rs are being reissued by Jagjaguwar on vinyl, and three new Knyfe Hyts singles are due soon. Lehrhoff is currently playing bass in Pterodactyl, whose sophomore album, Worldwild (Brah), will be released April 21.

“Girlfriend Is Worse”:
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/GirlfriendIsWorse.mp3